World Cup 2022: When France Star Mbappe Warned Argentina Captain Messi

• Lionel Messi will face his heir apparent Kylian Mbappe in the 2022 World Cup final
• Messi will be under a lot of pressure to deliver a first title for his country since 1986
• Mbappe previously warned Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo about his plan to take over

Kylian Mbappe is widely expected to take over the mantle from Lionel Messi when he retires in two or three years' time.

Messi has already indicated that the 2022 World Cup would be his last, signalling an end to an illustrious career that has seen him win everything bar one trophy.

But on Sunday, December 18, all that could change.

Standing in Messi's way will be his heir apparent - a youngster gunning for a second World title just before his 24th birthday.

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Look, Mbappe has the finishing touch and ingenuity beyond his years and when you add his pace, it's hard to see who will rival him for Messi's throne in subsequent years. Erling Haaland maybe?

That is some food for thought.

Mbappe is Messi's successor

Mbappe is reportedly a self-proclaimed Cristiano Ronaldo fan and could have the extra impetus to deny Messi the last and dream hoorah he'd want at the Lusail Stadium.

He has previously warned both Ronaldo and Messi, in no uncertain terms, that their time at the top was up.

This is one person whose eyes are on the prize, and what better way to claim the prize than by beating a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner?

"I think I’m about to win the Ballon d’Or. I always say I dream about everything. I have no limits. So, of course, as you say, it’s a new generation. And Ronaldo, Messi - you’re gonna stop. We have to find someone else, someone new," Mbappe said previously as reported by Sports Brief.

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Mbappe and Messi: PSG teammates

Of course, there will an extra storyline that both of them are Paris Saint-Germain stars.

Coming from the back of a season where the Qatari-backed club has had its fair share of ego wars, this final showpiece will warrant loads of popcorn.

It's the King vs The Prince!

Deschamps has plans for Messi

Sports Brief had earlier reported that the build-up to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup final is already gathering pace, not long after the two semi-finals saw France and Argentina advance.

The majority of the attention has been expectedly focused on Argentine captain Messi, due to what the last stage of the tournament represents for him.

It will be his last World Cup, his second final, and his last chance to cement his name as the greatest player of all time - by winning the only trophy left from his illustrious career.